Behavioral Learning Theories The 3 main behavioral learning theories are behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. These are classical theories that were developed to understand how we learn from infants through adulthood. As teachers, it is important to understand how students learn as individuals in order to convey course curriculum in a way that students will acquire and process the material. These theories all have valid points and can be used at different times for different age levels. Behaviorism is used with younger children mostly to build a foundation of knowledge. Then, cognitivism and constructivism are used for expanding the knowledge base and processing.
Behaviorism Behaviorism comes from the observable aspects of learning. New behaviors are learned through conditioning, either classical or operant. Classical conditioning is in response to a positive stimulus. If a student completes a problem correctly they will receive a reward. Operant conditioning is controlling behavior either by a system of reward or punishment. This is done through changing the environment that surrounds the child.
Activities in classroom:
Games
Flash cards
Lectures
Demonstrations
Constant reinforcement
Cognitivism Cognitive learning is how information is processed. When a student learns a new fact they process, store, locate and provide information from what they have learned. When new information is acquired it must be linked to prior knowledge. Learning is within the students own mental processing.
Activities in the classroom:
Graphic organizers
Concept map
Summarizing
Constructivism Constructivism happens when the learner is constantly building new ideas and concepts. Information is moved from long term memory and is used while creating a knowledge base for a new experience. The student is encouraged to discover in place of the teacher making the connections for the student. The teacher takes a facilitator role within the classroom.
Activities in classroom:
Group work
Experimentation
Research projects
Field trips
Films
Class discussion
Theorists The following chart displays behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism with the theorists that are associated with them.
The 3 main behavioral learning theories are behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. These are classical theories that were developed to understand how we learn from infants through adulthood. As teachers, it is important to understand how students learn as individuals in order to convey course curriculum in a way that students will acquire and process the material. These theories all have valid points and can be used at different times for different age levels. Behaviorism is used with younger children mostly to build a foundation of knowledge. Then, cognitivism and constructivism are used for expanding the knowledge base and processing.
Behaviorism
Behaviorism comes from the observable aspects of learning. New behaviors are learned through conditioning, either classical or operant. Classical conditioning is in response to a positive stimulus. If a student completes a problem correctly they will receive a reward. Operant conditioning is controlling behavior either by a system of reward or punishment. This is done through changing the environment that surrounds the child.
Activities in classroom:
Cognitivism
Cognitive learning is how information is processed. When a student learns a new fact they process, store, locate and provide information from what they have learned. When new information is acquired it must be linked to prior knowledge. Learning is within the students own mental processing.
Activities in the classroom:
Constructivism
Constructivism happens when the learner is constantly building new ideas and concepts. Information is moved from long term memory and is used while creating a knowledge base for a new experience. The student is encouraged to discover in place of the teacher making the connections for the student. The teacher takes a facilitator role within the classroom.
Activities in classroom:
Theorists
The following chart displays behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism with the theorists that are associated with them.
Video Link:
Theories of Learning
Created by Tara McNulty on February 2, 2013
Webiography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9XIrNGgoQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivist_teaching_methods
http://viking.coe.uh.edu/~ichen/ebook/et-it/behavior.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education)
http://musingsofaneducator-pbonus.blogspot.com/2009/07/cognitivist-view-for-classroom.html
http://raypastore.com/knowledge/learningTheories.jpg